Illuminating human disease
Genomics is laying the groundwork for a new generation of diagnostics and therapeutics, built on our growing understanding of the biological mechanisms of disease. At the Broad Institute, biologists, chemists, physicians, mathematicians, computational biologists, and software engineers are using systematic, unbiased approaches to identify the root causes of disease and find new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Learn more about #HowWeScience.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Exploring the genetic origins of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and related diseases to better prevent and treat them
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — a term that includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease — occurs when the immune system is overactive in the gut. As a result, the digestive tract becomes chronically inflamed, leading to serious health issues for patients. At the Broad Institute, scientists combine human genetics, genetic and chemical screens, population studies, and deep insights into the microbiome to uncover the basic mechanisms of IBD and other related immune disorders. A better understanding of the genetic, molecular, microbial, and cellular roots of IBD could lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating these conditions.